Cellular-based IoT applications are bound only by the strength of the imagination. With the right idea and a little ingenuity, start-up companies and hobbyists are using SIM technology to make useful products that gather information on easy to access cloud-based portals. The diverse data gathered by these devices have helped users streamline production processes, monitor service conditions, address problems before they start, or simply protect their belongings when they aren’t around.

The upcoming rollout of 5G cellular networks (2020) is expected to be a huge leap forward in the way we use connected devices. It’s projected that 5G will allow for individual download speeds of 1 Gigabit per second, with latency speeds of less than a millisecond. According to Gartner, an estimated 20.8 billion internet-enabled devices will be in service worldwide by 2020, many of which will utilize the 5G network. To handle all that speed and connectivity, companies are expected to invest upwards of $275 billion into revamped infrastructure within the next decade, according to a report published by Accenture.

When it comes to on-the-go internet, mobile wireless routers — also known as hotspots — have been filling the gap between Wi-Fi and cellular since 2009. Instead of being tethered to a Wi-Fi connection or having to browse the internet on your smartphone, hotspots give laptop and tablet users the ability to connect to the internet whenever and wherever, as long as there is cellular coverage.

Cellular web networks allow for Internet connectivity even outdoors or in remote locations, and for smaller companies or startups without the resources to invest in more expensive Wi-Fi architecture Subscriber Identity Modules – better known as SIM cards – can make all the difference. Similarly, communities with limited resources can leverage SIM cards to cheaply connect everyone at a data rate within their budget. If Wi-Fi changed the world by making high-speed, reliable connections commonplace in the home, SIM cards change the world by letting everyone connect on-the-go for less, with much greater flexibility in terms of service providers, usage rates, and more. With the advent of the Internet of Things, the SIM card has emerged as the key to connectivity. But what are some specific examples of the SIM card’s impact on our world?

In March 2017, Artnet reported on The European Fine Art Fair’s (TEFAF) annual assessment of the global art market. TEFAF found that for all of 2016, the global art market generated around $45 billion in revenue. Of this $45 billion, the FBI estimates that nearly $4 to $5 billion in art and artifacts are stolen each year before being sold on the black market. That’s a roughly 11% loss for the market. Art theft can happen almost anywhere, and thieves are bold enough to steal from galleries, auctions, and even private residences.

The New York Times estimates that there are approximately 700,000 home saltwater aquariums in the United States. When maintained responsibly with specimens obtained from ethical vendors, aquariums can be a great way to learn more about the biodiversity of our planet. Long-time fish owners understand the special wonder of bringing the ocean into their home, and those building an aquarium for the first time are sure to quickly become enchanted with their watery pets.

Fortune reports that American beers raked in an estimated $252.6 billion in 2014 alone, and the industry has continued growing in years since. With craft-brewing and micro-brewing taking the industry to new heights, more people than ever before are learning how to make beer. But the fermentation process is complex and difficult to control, with any number of variables influencing the taste and quality of your brew. Especially for home breweries and smaller establishments making fewer batches, loss of even a single batch due to quality control issues can set back production for weeks.

Getting started in the Internet of Things (IoT) can be a daunting task for any company, but it doesn’t have to be. We all have heard about the numbers of connected devices, today and in the future. We understand that the world is moving towards the connected everything. The issue for many is how do I start? What are the challenges? What tools are necessary for IoT solutions? While it’s tempting to take a ‘wait and see’ attitude, the reality is the market is simply moving too fast to sit on the sidelines.

Here, we cover some of the issues. More in-depth analysis can be found in our recent webinar (link here) or at our Neo site (link here).